There was a significant correlation (P < 0.05) to lactose content
between the cheeses and time of evaluation (Table 5). The lactose
content decreased linearly over time, by 0.0309 and 0.033 units per
day in cheese 1 and 2, respectively. In cheese 2, the lactose content
was higher until the 15th day when the reduction of pH occurred
and the population of E. coli dropped to 3.380 log CFU/g in comparison
to cheese 1. The values of lactose content in cheese show
variation. Sant'Ana et al. (2013) determined a 1.26% lactose content
in Minas fresh cheeses made with goat milk in Brazil. Franco, Prieto,
Bernardo, Gonzalez Prieto, and Carballo (2003) reported the presence
of residual lactose (1.6 g 100 g1) at the end of the ripening at
60 days. However, Niro et al. (2014) affirmed the absence of lactose
in all samples after 30 days of ripening. The presence of lactose
even at the end of the ripening period depends on the extent of
whey removal, the glycolytic activity of the microorganisms present,
and the effect of the environmental conditions on their activity